M 6.2 earthquake hits Pacitan, almost causing a tsunami

BMKG infographic related to the earthquake centered in the southeast of Pacitan. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) stated that the earthquake that shook Pacitan Regency, East Java, on Friday, February 6, was a megathrust earthquake with a shallow depth.

BMKG Earthquake and Tsunami Director Daryono explained that the earthquake had a source mechanism in the form of an upward movement or thrusting, which is a characteristic of earthquakes in the southern Java megathrust subduction zone.

BMKG assessed that the earthquake should be appreciated by the community not reaching a magnitude of 7.0 because if the strength is greater it has the potential to trigger a tsunami in the coastal areas of southern Java.

"This has happened as the Pacitan region BMKG has a record of tsunami, including the tsunami events on January 4, 1840 and October 20, 1859 which occurred after a major earthquake in the southern subduction zone of Java Island," Daryono was quoted by Antara, Friday morning.

"Geographically, Pacitan area is directly facing the Java megathrust and has many narrow bays and beaches that can strengthen the amplitude of tsunami waves when a major earthquake occurs," he continued.

BMKG previously detected a magnitude 6.2 earthquake at 01.06 WIB with the epicenter in the sea at a depth of 58 kilometers southeast of Pacitan City.

The tremors were felt in a number of areas with Pacitan, Bantul, and Sleman (intensity IV MMI), Kulon Progo, Trenggalek, Wonogiri, Malang, Blitar, Surakarta, to Banjarnegara (III MMI), as well as Tuban and Jepara (II MMI).

BMKG modeling results show that the earthquake has no potential for a tsunami and until 01.35 WIB no aftershocks have been observed.

Based on the provisional data of the East Java BPBD, the earthquake caused one house to be severely damaged in Pacitan, one house to be slightly damaged in Wonogiri, four houses to be slightly damaged in Bantul, and one house to be slightly damaged in Sleman.